strcitly celebrities© Photo: Rex

Strictly contestants shimmy and sparkle down the red carpet at launch night

August 31, 2016

Strictly Come Dancing is back and the celebrity contestants were out in full force on Tuesday night, shimmying and sparkling down the red carpet. Laura Whitmore, Daisy Lowe and Louise Redknapp led the gorgeous ladies at the show launch, while Will Young was among the dapper gentlemen.

Glitz and glamour was the order of the day, with Laura stunning in a bold yellow thigh-skimming mini dress. The 31-year-old presenter posed with fellow hopeful Anastacia at Elstree Studios.

Jamie Redknapp's wife Louise was lovely in a lilac, fringed dress while Daisy showed off her curves in a sheer red sequined gown.

Anastacia and Laura Whitmore posed up a storm on the red carpet

BBC presenter Naga Munchetty looked sensational in a halter-neck style dress, joining her BBC Sport colleague Ore Oduba at the launch.

Olympians Greg Rutherford and Claudia Fragapane, TV stars Danny Mac, Melvin Odoom, Lesley Joseph, Robert 'Judge' Rinder, Tameka Empson and politician Ed Balls completed the line-up.

Louise Redknapp was lovely in a lilac, fringed dress

The Labour Party politician joked around on the red carpet with professional dancers Janette Manrara and Anton Du Beke.

Returning once again was the panel of judges – Darcey Bussell, who spun around in a blush pink gown, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman, who recently announced that this year would be his last on the show.

Daisy Lowe showed off her curves in a sheer red gown

Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly walked arm-in-arm down the red carpet, both stunning in column gowns.

The show's 15 professional dancers also attended the launch, including Giovanni Pernice who was making his first high-profile appearance as a newly single man, having split from former Strictly contestant Georgia May Foote earlier this month.

Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman returned as judges

Strictly returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6:50pm.

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